Tag: International Criminal Court
Jesus offers a compelling image of transformation: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:20-33). These words, spoken on the road to the cross, carry a deep truth about how real change—whether in our lives or in our society—often requires loss, death, and letting go. This reflection takes on deeper urgency in the light of recent events: the arrest and ongoing trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. For many, this is a long-awaited moment of justice; for others, it is a painful disruption to a deeply held loyalty. Regardless of where we stand politically, we who follow the Way of Jesus are called not to blind allegiance but to walk in the light of truth, justice, and righteousness. Today, the Gospel challenges us as Filipinos: What must die in us for new life to rise? What does the path of the grain of wheat look like for our nation in this historic moment?
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/03/the-seed-that-regenerates-and-transforms-a-lenten-reflection-on-justice-leadership-and-national-renewal/
As I read today’s Philippine Daily Inquirer headline, “From ‘Tokhang’ to The Hague: Duterte handed over to ICC,” I found myself pausing—not out of surprise, but in solemn reflection. This is a momentous day for our nation. The arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) signifies more than just a legal milestone. It marks a profound shift in our collective conscience—from a time when extrajudicial killings became normalized under a brutal “war on drugs,” to a moment of reckoning before an international tribunal. It is the beginning of an accounting long delayed, yet urgently needed. As a justice-based peacebuilding worker and a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, I do not see this event merely through the lens of legality. I see it as a moral and ethical crossroads for the Filipino people. This is a test of our commitment to truth, justice, and accountability—not only for the powerless, but now, remarkably, for the once-powerful.
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Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/03/former-president-rodrigo-duterte-is-arrested-and-transferred-to-icc/
